Today is my youngest daughter’s last day in middle school. Hallelujah! I would have never dreamed that I would be so excited for her to leave that place, but my anticipation has been growing over the past few weeks. Not because I’m in a hurry for her to grow up. She is my baby girl, after all. My baby girl who used to tell me that she didn’t want to get big, she wanted to stay little forever. My baby girl who said that she would live next door to me when she was a “growed up.” So why am

Out in my yard today… windy, sunny, windy, rainy, windy… you name it, we’ve got it! The weather has been particularly crazy this last week, even for our area. We even had some snow this last weekend. I planted my little garden, in spite of it all. Lettuce, tomatoes (roma, cherry, yellow pear), cucumbers, zucchini, and yellow squash. The irises are blooming now. Good news since we moved them to a new spot last year. Also blooming in the yard today are the gorgeous gerbera daisies I recently planted. I love their bright color! Each spring I try to plant

My birthday. The one day out of each year that is my very own holiday dedicated to celebrating me. As a child I could hardly wait for my special day. My mom would start the countdown of “shopping days” until my birthday at least a month prior to the occasion. She continued this tradition even when I went away to college, sending me postcards labeled with the number of days remaining throughout the weeks before my big day. I have many wonderful memories of birthday celebrations with really great gifts. The hot pink Huffy two-wheeler with a banana seat and

Out in my yard today… the high according to my thermometer was 82 this afternoon! Our peach and plum trees are in full bloom. I’m grateful for… celebrations with good friends, sunshine, and a fresh start every morning. One of my favorite things… is watching the birds in our backyard. We’ve had a bird bath in our yard for a few years now, but this is the first spring that I’ve really seen any birds using it. Too cool! This week I’m reading… the second half of Her Mother’s Hope. I went to Barnes & Noble with my oldest daughter

Out in my yard today… it rained most of the morning, but now it is snowing!!! Grrrr…just another crazy spring day in Idaho. However, the daffodils are blooming in my front yard- they are so bright and cheerful! I’m grateful for… Easter dinner with family, a warm home, marshmallow-filled chocolate eggs, and an opening day win for the Red Sox over the Yankees! One of my favorite things… eating popcorn and watching movies with my family. Romantic comedies top my list, but a little drama, action and intrigue are also good. This week I’m reading… Her Mother’s Hope by Francine